Welcome to Raglan's Balaclava Blog!

This is a little blog I created in my A-level History class about the Battle of Balaclava and the Charge of the Light Brigade, told from the perspective of Lord James Raglan.

Wednesday, 20 October 2010

The Battle of Ruddy Balaclava

From my postition, I could see that those ruddy Russian Bears had taken our cannons, and were holding onto them in their redoubts across the valley, so i promptly ordered Quartermaster-General, Brigadier Airy to take a letter telling the Light Brigade to "Advance rapidly to the front, follow the ememy and try to prevent the enemy carrying away the guns" I would not allow the British effort be compromised, so soon in the battle!!

I entrusted the letter to Captain Nolan, and commanded him to deliver it post-haste to Lord Lucan and Lord Cardigan. They would have to make this work, or else they would have thier military careers at risk!

Moments later i saw that most noble of cavalries, the Light Brigade, begin to move forward. The intention was for them to ride a short distance along the valley before turning right and climbing the slopes of the Causeway Heights to reclaim our British guns in those darn Red Bear redoubts.

Instead i saw plans and intentions dashed, as Cardigan continued straight along the valley towards the Russian's Don Cossack guns at the far end of the valley. It was nothing short of pure balderdash and piffle on Cardigans part. What madness!!

The valient Light Brigade charged down towards the Russian lines, into the jaws of death! All were flabergasted at this terrific sight. On they rode under such tremendous artillery fire, into the clouds of smoke awaiting them. For King and Country i have never seen such bravery!

As the artillery fire ceased and the smoke cleared, the true devestation was unvieled. All those noble British lives lost due to the incompetance of Lord Lucan and Captain Nolan, whom were unable to maintain thier cool in each others presence on the field of battle. Many agreed with French General Bosquet "C'est magnifique, mais ce n'est pas la guerre"- It is magifincent but it is not war.

4 comments:

I love, love, love this Michael (Malcolm). It is brill-the language you've used makes it sound like it could've been what Raglan was saying/thinking at the time. I also like how you've actually used very specific factual details aswell as the sources I gave you. This is the one I am going to showcase on my own blog-you may have other comments on here soon from my readers! Very well done Michael.

I am pleased to be the first to comment from your teacher's blog. Being an American, I did not know much about the Charge of the Light Brigade even though I had, of course, heard about it. I think you brilliantly portrayed the disgust of Lord Raglan over the stupidity of Lucan and Nolan.